ChillSet History 101

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Hey all, so here is the first blog article...are you as excited as me?  Probably not, but anyway, here we go!  I'd like to use this blog as a place to communicate with my fellow Chillfans.  We can share thoughts on past shows, new songs, Scott's van, Dan's raw sex appeal, etc. 

Seeing as this is my first blog post, I figure I'd start with a quick history on the band for all those ChillFans that don't know much about the boys. 

So Scott Fovel, Dan Ober, and Justin Jones have been playing music since middle school.  Justin was playing in a band known as Animicus.  Their hit "Intricate Song" was evidence at an early age that Justin's musical creativity would be promising.  (Note- I can't remember the name of the B-side to Intricate at the moment, but in my opinion, it contains the best guitar solo Justin has ever recorded...and he wasn't even old enough to drive himself to the recording studio!) 

At the same time, another band was tearing up the local music scene.  In Case of Fire showcased Scott Fovel singing and a 13 year old Dan Ober behind the drum kit.  ICOF was a punk band that played originals and covered songs from bands like the Misfits and MXPX.  Unfortunately, the band was struggling to find a unique sound, and this was perhaps no more evident then at a Medway High fundraising event.  As fate would have it, Justin was performing some material from his solo project at the event, and introduced himself to the clearly frustrated, but obviously talented Scott Fovel.  They soon joined up to form a new band, Void.  At this same time, Dan would continue to jam with other local musicians and work on solo compositions.

In my opinion, Void represented the exploratory years in Scott and Justin's musical journey.  Their sound was much heavier and much less chill then the tunes we all enjoy today.  However, this is not to say the band was without success.  With songs such as "Dawning," Void would go on to win a Battle of the Bands contest at Lupos in RI. 

Void would ultimately decide to change musical direction.  They added new members and with that, a new name: Visceral.  Visceral, similar to Void in sound, would write some great songs such as "Rondo in C," "Speed," and of course "The Phoenix."  The band enjoyed much success with regular gigs in the Boston and Providence, RI areas.  They even opened for Vince Neil of Motley Crue.  However, the band was dealing with internal personality struggles and ultimately decided to call it quits after a local college rugby fundraiser gig in 2005.  (fun fact, OJ Simpson's daughter was in attenance at this final show!). 

Side note- I went to several Void and Visceral shows back in the day, and never once saw an even remotely attractive girl.  This should have been the first sign that things weren't on track, but I digress...

If nothing else, these bands brought Justin and Scott closer, both musically and personally.  It was in the wake of Visceral that the unlikely beginings of ChillSet would form.  It started with Justin performing solo acoustic performances at local metro west bars.  And not just your typical covers you usually hear out at most bars either...I'm talking about Juice singing "Come Sail Away" with more passion then I should probably be allowed in public!

Naturally, Scott would sit in on songs every now and then, always to the audiences' delight.  The two produced an energy and connection with audiences seldom achieved with acoustic duo acts.  In fact, their shows at Tennessee's in Milford are legendary.  It was here that Justin would begin his trademark standing on chairs and tables while playing, where Scott would dress up like Santa Claus (and I think a cow once too?), and where the infamous "Chillshot" was first drank....no, imbibed!  These gigs also began to showcase an old familiar face, Dan Ober.  Without doubt, Dan brought the band to the next musical level.  With Scott at lead vocals and bongos, Justin on 12 string acoustic guitar and vocals, and Dan on drums, the ChillSet sound was complete and things really took off.

The incomporable Aaron Fleishman joined the band as manager, and soon they were booking gigs throughout the Boston area.  They've packed Harper's Ferry, they sold out the Hard Rock Cafe in Boston, and they finally got some girls to attend their shows that, shall we say, possess many of the qualities that the superficial male would find attractive (great seinfeld line right there).  Today, the band continues to play packed shows and their following is growing quickly.  The other day I was in the Watertown mall and I saw a random girl wearing a ChillSet t-shirt.  Couldn't believe it, how cool is that?

Well, there's the quick history.  Please post a comment!  What is your earliest Scott, Dan, or Justin musical memory?  What did I miss in the history that you would add?  Let's hear it Chillfans...